A trigger is an event or condition that causes a chatbot to take action and respond to a user. Triggers are the catalyst that starts a conversation or prompts the chatbot to do something.
In chatbot and conversational AI systems, triggers can be all sorts of things the user says, types, clicks, or even the current time or location. The key is that the trigger indicates the user's intent and gives the chatbot a clear signal to provide a relevant response.
Some common types of triggers include:
Keyword triggers: The user types a specific word or phrase that the chatbot is programmed to recognize and respond to.
Intent triggers: The chatbot detects the user's underlying goal or purpose, like asking a question, making a request, or expressing a sentiment.
Location triggers: The user's current geographic location, detected through their device, triggers a location-specific response.
Time triggers: The time of day, day of the week, or special event triggers a timely or contextual response from the chatbot.
Action triggers: The user takes a specific action, like clicking a button or menu option, which triggers the chatbot to move the conversation forward.